Crossbow with arrow retainer

ABSTRACT

An archery crossbow having an arrow retainer provided by a yieldable member located within a bore located on a sight guide or a trigger housing of the bow and including an arrow contact portion that extends outwardly of the bore to contact the arrow.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of crossbows. Moreparticularly, the disclosure relates to structures for retaining arrowsfrom movement until the arrow is shot.

BACKGROUND

The majority of crossbows use a device to hold the arrow or bolt untilit is shot. Such devices are needed for a number of reasons. One reasonis to keep the arrow from sliding forward such as when the archer aimsdown from a tree stand. Another is to attempt to hold the arrow in thesame place on the bow to aid in consistency and accuracy.

Up to this point, the manner of holding the arrow in place has been touse an extended finger made of a metal material. The finger isexteriorly mounted to extend out away from the front of the triggerhousing or sight bridge from one inch to several inches at an angle tocontact the arrow.

These fingers-type arrow holders have various disadvantages, such asexcessive noise or vibration, causing or contributing to arrow fletchingwear, degrading accuracy, and not effectively holding the arrow inplace. Accordingly, improvement is desired. Furthermore, their exteriorlocation renders them subject to damage and misalignment.

The present disclosure relates to an improved arrow retainerconfiguration for crossbows that avoids disadvantages of prior devices.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met, in one aspect, by an archery crossbowfor shooting an arrow having a length axis having fins.

The crossbow includes a bowstring, limbs, a trigger, and a triggerhousing having a bore in which is located an arrow retainer. The arrowretainer includes a yieldable member being substantially located withinthe bore and including an arrow contact portion that extends outwardlyof the bore to contact the arrow.

The crossbow is operated by drawing the bowstring to be tensioned by thelimbs the tensioned bowstring being retained within the trigger housingand the arrow being positioned with a nock thereof against thebowstring. The trigger is operated to release the bowstring and shootthe arrow and the arrow retainer functions to provide pressure againstthe arrow.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a crossbow is provided whichincludes a bowstring, limbs, a trigger, a trigger housing, and a sightbridge located above the trigger housing having a bore in which islocated an arrow retainer. The arrow retainer includes a yieldablemember being substantially located within the bore and including anarrow contact portion that extends outwardly of the bore to contact thearrow.

Arrow retainers according to the disclosure advantageously avoidproblems associated with conventional arrow retainers, such as exposureto damage, misalignment, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to thedetailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures,which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, whereinlike reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the severalviews, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crossbow having an arrow retaineraccording to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view showing the arrow retainer of thecrossbow of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a trigger housing configured to include an arrowretainer according to the disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment having a sight bridge configured toinclude an arrow retainer according to the disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a trigger housing configured toinclude an arrow retainer according to the disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows another alternate embodiment of a trigger housingconfigured to include an arrow retainer according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure relates to an arrow retainer for crossbows. In thisregard, with initial reference to FIGS. 1-2, the disclosure relates inone embodiment to a crossbow 10 configured to include an arrow retainer12 located so as to substantially vertically bear against a bolt orarrow A having a nock N and fins or fletching F.

The crossbow 10 includes a stock 14, limbs 16, a bowstring 18, a flightgroove 20, a sight bridge 22 having a scope 22 a mounted thereon, atrigger 24, and associated trigger assembly within a trigger housing 26.The crossbow 10 is operated by drawing the bowstring 18 to be tensionedby the limbs 16, the tensioned bowstring 18 being retained by thetrigger assembly. The arrow A is then positioned with the nock N againstthe bowstring 18 and one of the fins F within the flight groove 20. Thetrigger 24 is then operated to release the bowstring 18 and shoot thearrow A. The arrow retainer 12 functions to provide pressure against thearrow A to retain it against the flight groove while avoiding many ofthe shortcomings of prior devices.

With additional reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the arrow retainer 12 islocated within a bore 30 defined on the trigger housing 26. In oneembodiment, the trigger housing 26 includes an upper housing portion 32and a lower housing portion 34, between which is located an upper jaw 36and a lower jaw 38 linked to a jaw urging member 40. The jaw urgingmember 40 is operably connected to the trigger 24. The upper jaw 36 andthe lower jaw 38 close together to retain the bowstring 18 when thecrossbow 10 is drawn. By operating the trigger 24, a user selectivelyoperates the jaw urging member 40 to move the upper jaw 36 and the lowerjaw 38 apart to release the bowstring 18 and shoot the arrow A. Thetrigger housing 26 may also include a safety operated by lever 42 and adry fire arrester 44 operably associated with the trigger 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the bore 30 is abifurcated through bore located on an extension 46 of the upper housingportion 32 that extends distally past a receiver 48 defined by thefacing sides 32 a and 34 a, respectively, of the spaced apart portionsof the upper housing 32 and the lower housing 34 immediately proximatethe upper jaw 36 and the lower jaw 38. The bore 30 includes a largerdiameter bore portion 30 a that opens at the uppermost surface of theextension 46 and a smaller diameter bore portion 30 b that opens at thelowermost surface of the extension 46 so as to be facing toward thearrow A when it is positioned in the trigger housing 26. In oneembodiment, the large diameter bore has a diameter of about 0.5 inchesand the small diameter bore has a diameter of about 0.3 inches, althoughother suitable dimensions may be utilized for the bore. The largerdiameter bore portion 30 will desirably be covered by the sight bridge22 installed so as to overlie the bore 30.

A resilient plug, such as a rubber plug 50, is configured to be fitwithin the bore 30 and includes a larger diameter portion 50 a that fitswithin the bore portion 30 a and a smaller diameter portion 50 b thatfits within the bore portion 30 b protrudes outwardly therefrom todefine an arrow contact surface 52. The arrow contact surface 52 islocated and configured to lightly contact the arrow A. In a preferredembodiment, the arrow contact surface may have a diameter of about 0.05to about 0.3 inches. The yieldable force supplied by the rubber plug 50via the arrow contact surface 52 advantageously bears the arrow Atowards the flight groove 20 without detrimentally affecting the flightcharacteristics of the arrow. In this regard, it will be noted that theplug 50 and the contact surface 52 preferably project in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the length axis of the arrow A being shotby the crossbow 10. The rubber is yieldable and provides a pressureagainst the arrow. In certain embodiments, the plug may be made of otherresilient materials, such as suitable polymeric or other resilient,synthetic materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the bore 30 and plug 50 are substantiallycylindrical. However, in other preferred embodiments, the bore 30 andplug 50 could have rectangular or triangular cross sections or otherappropriate shaped cross section. Additionally, the different portionsof the bore 30 and plug 50 shown in FIG. 4 have substantially uniformdiameters, but could be tapered. Furthermore, in certain embodiments,the bore 30 and plug 50 may have not have portions with different crosssections along their length, but may rather have uniform cross sectionalong their entire lengths. The arrow contact portion may have a dome,conical, blunt, or other appropriate shape for providing a point ofcontact against an arrow.

The location of the contact surface 52 is desirably selected so that thecontact surface 52 engages the arrow A at a location on the surface ofthe arrow A that is substantially along the uppermost surface of thearrow A along the centerline of the arrow A and in-between adjacent onesof the fins F when the bowstring 18 is drawn and the arrow A is situatedin the receiver with the nock N retained adjacent the jaws 36 and 38.Such location is advantageous to avoid wearing of the fins F, since thecontact surface 52 is in-between the fins F and does not contact thefins F. Also, because of the structure of the retainer 12, and becausethe location of the contact surface 52 is fixed, protected by itslocation within the trigger housing 26, and not subject to loosening andmoving side-to-side in the manner of an attached prior art fingerdevice, the retainer 12 applies substantially uniform pressure to thearrow A that does not significantly change over time. The consistentoperation also serves to cooperate well with the dry fire arrester 44.The retainer 12 has also been observed to not experience substantialvibration and operate substantially quieter than prior art devices.

With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of anarrow retainer 62. The retainer 62 is located in the same manner as theretainer 12, but may be formed from a hard plastic or metal material.The retainer is urged towards the arrow by a spring 64 located within abore 66, with a portion of the retainer extending outwardly to providean arrow contact surface 68. The yieldable force supplied by the spring64 via the arrow contact surface 68 advantageously bears the arrow Atowards the flight groove 20 without detrimentally affecting the flightcharacteristics of the arrow. As in the manner of the retainer 12, thelocation of the retainer 62 is advantageously protected from subjectingthe retainer 62 from damage. That is, location of the retainer 62 issubstantially within the trigger housing 26 between the upper housingportion 32 and a the lower housing portion 34, such that the retainer 62is protected.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment of anarrow retainer 72. The retainer 72 is configured in the manner of theretainer 62 and is located in a position similar to the position of theretainer 12 and the retainer 62, except the retainer 72 extends from asight bridge 74. In this regard, it will be noted that the previouslydescribed trigger housing 26 was configured to include the extension 46for the purpose of providing structure for locating the retainer 12. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 6, there is shown a trigger housing 76 that issubstantially identical to the trigger housing 26, except it does notinclude the extension 46. However, as will be noted, the sight bridge 74is configured to include a downwardly extending projection 78. Theprojection 78 occupies substantially the same location as did theextension 46 of the trigger housing 26, and provides structure forlocating the retainer 72. In this regard, it will be appreciated thatthe sight bridge 74 having the retainer 72 is well-suited forapplication as a retrofit on conventional crossbows to provide aretainer according to the disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternate embodiment of anarrow retainer 82. The retainer 82 is configured in the manner of theretainer 62 and the retainer 72, but is located to extend from a lowerportion 84 a of a trigger housing 84. In this regard, the triggerhousing 84 does not utilize the dry fire arrester 44 as described forthe trigger housing 26. Instead, a different dry fire mechanism may beutilized and the retainer 82 is located within a bore 86 provided at thesite.

As will be appreciated, arrow retainers according to the disclosure areadvantageously located in a protected, recessed location within thetrigger housing or the sight guide, and project in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the axis of the arrow A being shot by thecrossbow 10. Only a small contact portion of the retainer extendsoutwardly to contact the arrow A. Thus, unlike conventional finger styleretainers, retainers according to the disclosure are not located on anexterior portion of the crossbow and are substantially protected fromdamage.

Another advantage relates to the structure of the retainerscharacterized as having a yieldable retainer that is substantiallyenclosed within a bore that closely fits the portions of the retainertherein, and extends only slightly outwardly from the bore forcontacting the arrow A. As will be appreciated, the bore which closelyfits the portions of the retainer therein protects the retainer fromdamage and also substantially eliminates any misalignment or change inalignment of the retainer relative to the arrow. Thus, the retainersaccording to the disclosure are not subject to misalignment in themanner of conventional finger retainers. This advantageously avoids adetrimental effect on accuracy by having a consistent pressure andposition of the retainer on the arrow. This structure alsoadvantageously results in a substantial reduction in noise as comparedto conventional retainers and the consistent pressure applied by theretainer facilitates its operation dry fire arresters.

Another advantage that may be achieved by the disclosed retainers is theability to locate the retainer to contact the arrow at a central portionthat avoids contact with the fins of the arrow. This is advantageous toavoid detrimental effects on accuracy caused by fin contact and wear offins.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosurehas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the preciseform disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and describedin an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of thedisclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one ofordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An archery crossbow for shooting an arrow havinga length axis having fins, the crossbow comprising: a bowstring, limbs,a trigger assembly including a trigger, and a trigger housing having abore in which is located an arrow retainer positioned within the boreand moveable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthaxis, the bore further comprising a first bore portion and a second boreportion adjacent to and different in diameter than the first boreportion, the arrow retainer comprising a yieldable member beingsubstantially located within the bore having a first member portionpositioned in and retained by the first bore portion and an arrowcontact portion positioned in the second bore portion and extendsoutwardly of the bore to contact the arrow, an urging member connectedto the trigger; a first jaw connected to the urging member andreleasably engaged with the bowstring; a second jaw connected to theurging member opposite the urging member and releasably engaged with thebowstring; wherein the crossbow is operated by drawing the bowstring tobe tensioned by the limbs, the tensioned bowstring being retained by thetrigger assembly and the arrow being positioned with a nock thereofagainst the bowstring, wherein the trigger is operated to release thebowstring and shoot the arrow and the arrow retainer functions toprovide pressure against the arrow.
 2. The crossbow of claim 1, whereinthe yieldable member comprises a resilient plug.
 3. The crossbow ofclaim 2, wherein the resilient plug comprises a rubber plug.
 4. Anarchery crossbow for shooting an arrow having a length axis having fins,the crossbow comprising: a bowstring, limbs, a trigger assemblyincluding a trigger, a trigger housing, and a sight bridge located abovethe trigger housing, the sight bridge having a bore in which is locatedan arrow retainer positioned within the bore and moveable in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the length axis, the arrow retainercomprising a yieldable member being substantially located within thebore having an arrow contact portion that extends outwardly of the boreto contact the arrow, wherein the crossbow is operated by drawing thebowstring to be tensioned by the limbs, the tensioned bowstring beingretained by the trigger assembly and the arrow being positioned with anock thereof against the bowstring, wherein the trigger is operated torelease the bowstring and shoot the arrow and the arrow retainerfunctions to provide pressure against the arrow.
 5. The crossbow ofclaim 4, wherein the retainer comprises a resilient plug.
 6. Thecrossbow of claim 5, wherein the resilient plug comprises a rubber plug.7. The crossbow of claim 4, wherein the retainer comprises a spring. 8.An archery crossbow for shooting an arrow having a length axis havingfins, the crossbow comprising: a bowstring, limbs, a trigger assemblyincluding a trigger, a trigger housing, a bifurcated bore formed in thetrigger housing, further comprising a first bore portion having a firstdiameter and a second bore portion having a second diameter, adjacentthe first bore portion, the first diameter different than the seconddiameter, a shoulder separating the first bore portion and the secondbore portion and an arrow retainer comprising a yieldable member havinga first member portion positioned in the first bore portion and retainedby the shoulder and an arrow contact portion for contacting the arrow,positioned in the second bore portion, the arrow contact portion urgedtowards the arrow in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axisof the arrow by the yieldable member, an urging member connected to thetrigger; a first jaw connected to the urging member and releasablyengaged with the bowstring; a second jaw connected to the urging memberopposite the urging member and releasably engaged with the bowstring;wherein the crossbow is operated by drawing the bowstring to betensioned by the limbs, the tensioned bowstring being retained by thetrigger assembly and the arrow being positioned with a nock thereofagainst the bowstring, wherein the trigger is operated to release thebowstring and shoot the arrow and the arrow retainer functions toprovide pressure against the arrow.
 9. The crossbow of claim 8, whereinthe retainer comprises a resilient plug.
 10. The crossbow of claim 9,wherein the resilient plug comprises a rubber plug.